Taveras, 28, hit .200/.243/.257 in 37 plate appearances for the Nats this year. The former stolen base champ was successful in just one of three attempts. He has had trouble reaching base for the last three seasons, but he was an above-average defender (according to UZR) as recently as last year.

Taveras will report to Triple A, where Wise was playing before he opted out, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).

The point to signing Taveras isn’t to fix the Phillies offensive woes. He’s reporting to Lehigh Valley, where he’s replacing DeWayne Wise, and it just gives Philly some depth in the outfield, should they have an injury to a current MLB outfielder, they’ll have Taveras available to call up to be an extra guy or spot starter along with Ben Francisco, who isn’t as good defensively as Taveras.

I’m aware of that. But if Heaven forbid someone else gets injured, Taveras won’t be any help. Even off the bench he’d maybe pinch run or play a 9th inning occasionally but he’d be useless as a pinch hitter on account of he hits like a pitcher. I’d much rather have Francisco out there. He can hit for power and is a decent outfielder with decent speed. Yes, I know this signing isn’t a crisis or anything, I just don’t see much of a point to it.